Castro Blasts U.s. Broadcasts To Cuba

``ideological aggression`` and military leaders called for ``more preparation`` among the armed forces, Cuban radio said Wednesday.

A letter from Castro was read Tuesday to a rally of military leaders in Havana in the leader`s first direct response about Radio Marti, Radio Rebelde said.

Reports on the letter were broadcast Wednesday on ``Political Information,`` a radio program of news and opinion that is reportedly required listening for all members of the Cuban armed forces.

``The Cuban people reiterate their total support for the dignified response by the Cuban government to the cynical and provocative decision by the North American administration to begin radio transmissions against our country,`` said the broadcast, monitored in Miami.

The broadcast, apparently quoting from the Castro letter, called for

``firmness by our country faced with this type of ideological aggression that has been perpetrated through the years by the United States.``

The broadcast also quoted Gen. Juan Pujol as referring to the

``extraordinary indignation`` of Cubans over Radio Marti and saying the armed forces ``should respond by more preparation and fortify themselves more in the fulfillment of their duties.``

Radio Marti started beaming U.S. news and commentary into Cuba Monday and an angry Castro promptly cut off an immigration pact between the two countries and threatened to end cooperation to punish hijackers.

Castro also announced a ban on travel, but a planeload of 109 Cuban-Americans who were visiting Cuba returned safely Wednesday to Miami and said they had no problem leaving.

There was speculation that such charter flights might end, however, and Cuban and U.S. officials said those Americans remaining in Cuba may have to pay additional airfare to fly through another country to get home.

In another development, two Houston men who were detained overnight in a Cuban port where they were diverted by a gunboat were released Wednesday and set sail aboard their 65-foot yacht for Key West, the Coast Guard said.

A spokeswoman said the two had contacted the Coast Guard by radio and reported they were in good health, had no major problems with the Cubans and expected to arrive in Key West in about three days.

Officials said the incident apparently was not in retaliation for the Radio Marti broadcasts.

Rather, they said, the two men, Oran Farr, a 60-year-old retired geophysicist, and his son, Kevin, a 30-year-old professional diver, apparently strayed within 12 miles of Cuba`s coast, violating what that country claims as its territorial waters.